Yarrow Lachsschönheit

Yarrow is relatively resistant, but two problems may occur:

1. Powdery mildew (white coating on leaves): Appears if the plant is in shade, in excessive humidity, or if clumps are too dense and air doesn't circulate between them.
2. Aphids: Occasionally they may attack young shoots. Usually, rinsing with a stream of water or using a natural spray is enough.

Although it is a bred ornamental cultivar of Achillea millefolium (which is a medicinal herb), it is primarily intended for decoration. Its leaves are edible (they have a bitter taste) and can be used in small quantities in salads. However, for collecting herbs and teas, the original wild form with white flowers, which has a higher content of active substances, is recommended.

Yes, Achillea millefolium is a fully frost-hardy perennial (down to -40 °C), which overwinters in our conditions without problems.

• Overwintering: No special protection is needed. You can leave dry stems over winter as shelter for insects and garden decoration, or cut them back in autumn. In spring, just remove old plant debris and the Yarrow will sprout again.

Yarrow is not poisonous to humans, but in sensitive individuals, contact with leaf sap in the sun can cause an allergic skin reaction (photodermatitis). We recommend wearing gloves when working with it.

For pets (dogs, cats, horses), Yarrow is considered mildly toxic if eaten in large quantities (can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive salivation), but animals usually avoid it due to the bitter taste.

That is one of the most beautiful features of the Lachsschönheit cultivar. The flowers naturally change color during blooming. They start as deep salmon-pink and gradually, as they age and are exposed to the sun, fade to soft apricot tones and finally to creamy white. You will often see a full palette of these colors on a single plant at once.

Yes, it is an excellent plant for florists. It lasts up to 10 days in a vase.

• When to harvest: Cut flowers when they are fully open (unlike other flowers cut in bud) so they don't wilt.
• Drying: This cultivar is also perfect for dried arrangements because it holds its shape and part of its color well.

Yarrow is a sun lover. Choose a fully sunny location. As for soil, the rule applies: the poorer, the better.

• Ideal soil: Well-drained, sandy-loam to gravelly, drier.
• Unsuitable soil: Heavy, clay, and waterlogged (roots would rot here).

If you have heavy soil in your garden, we recommend mixing sand or fine gravel into the planting hole for better drainage.

Yarrow grows in clumps and over time the center of the clump may become 'bald' or bloom less vigorously. We recommend rejuvenating the plant every 3 to 4 years by division.

• When: Best in spring (April) or autumn.
• How: Dig up the entire clump, divide it with a spade into smaller parts (each must have roots and shoots), and replant them. This gives you new seedlings for free.

Common Yarrow spreads by underground runners (rhizomes). The 'Lachsschönheit' cultivar is somewhat more moderate than the wild form, but still has a tendency to spread. In a regular flower bed, it is easy to maintain – just occasionally 'chop off' with a spade the parts growing where you don't want them.

If the stems are twisting, too long, and laying on the ground, it is a sign that the plant has either too little sun or too many nutrients/water. Yarrow is a tough plant – transplant it to a sunnier, drier spot with poorer soil, and it will be more compact and sturdy.

Thanks to its natural appearance, it fits perfectly into 'prairie' and cottage garden beds. It looks beautiful in combination with:

• Ornamental grasses (e.g., feather grass, fountain grass).
• Coneflowers (Echinacea).
• Sage (Salvia nemorosa) and Russian sage (Perovskia).
• Its flat flower heads form a beautiful contrast to the vertical spikes of speedwells (Veronica) or blazing stars (Liatris).

If you bought the seedling early in the spring and it was grown in a greenhouse, it needs to be hardened off. For the first week, put it outside only during the day in a shady spot and bring it in at night. After planting in the bed, water the plant regularly (approx. 2–3 weeks) until it roots well. Once it 'takes hold', reduce watering – mature Yarrow is very drought-tolerant.

You can plant Yarrow seedlings in the spring (April to May), once the danger of severe frosts has passed, or in the autumn (September to October), so they have time to root before winter. If you have container-grown seedlings, they can be planted throughout the season, but in hot summers, increased attention to watering is necessary during rooting.

Yarrow is a very low-maintenance perennial:

• Watering: After rooting, water only during prolonged drought. Excessive moisture harms it more than drought.
• Fertilizing: Not necessary, and actually not desirable. In overly rich soil or with excess nitrogen, the plant stretches tall, stems are weak and may break or flop over. Ordinary garden soil is quite sufficient.

Definitely yes! As soon as the first wave of flowers begins to fade and turn brown, cut the entire stems down low to the ground (just above the leaf rosette).

• This promotes the formation of new buds.
• The plant often blooms a second time in late summer or autumn.
• You also prevent unwanted self-seeding around the garden.